Fresh off the Disney Wonder in Alaska, I’ve got all the latest scoop from Disney Cruise Line. Stay tuned for a new Alaskan video that showcases “Frozen” fun with Queen Elsa and Princess Anna, as well as Mickey and Goofy on deck. Plus, the footage will feature the line’s exclusive Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show in Ketchikan, a stunning display of humpback whales in Juneau, a breathtaking helicopter landing atop a glacier outside Skagway and more.
Also, while it’s up to Bob Chapek as to how much, if anything, is announced at the upcoming D23 Expo 2019 regarding the cruise line, I plan to be there to cover whatever is presented on the Anaheim stage. With another biannual convention not expected until 2021 — the same year the first of three new Disney cruise ships is scheduled to launch — it would be very surprising if a number of announcements and reveals were not made this August.
In the meantime, we have lots of other new details to delve into…
Tiana Further Redesigns the Disney Wonder
Following the success of “The Princess and the Frog”-themed Tiana’s Place restaurant, the Big Easy narrative will expand to the adjacent French Quarter Lounge. The existing Promenade Lounge will be converted into what is described by Disney as “an airy outdoor space in New Orleans, surrounded by touches of iconic architecture such as wrought-iron balconies, classic brick walls and shutter-framed windows.”
A full-sized trolley car will add realism to the updated jazzy environment perfect for families hoping to get more of Princess Tiana, other characters, live gazebo stage music, activities, trivia and specialty beverages from the enhanced bar.
What remains to be seen is whether or not the dated Promenade Lounge aboard the Disney Magic will receive a similar redesign in the near future.
Just for teens, Vibe is also slated to be updated as it already has been on the Magic. Renderings have yet to be released, but I’m told it will have a unique look independent of the sister ship’s space. It will be more contemporary but still timeless, and a bright industrial aesthetic will frame a fresh coffee bar and new virtual reality technology.
More closely mimicking the Magic’s redesign will be an updated Cove Cafe and Signals Bar for adults only. According to the line, the former will resemble a “local coffee shop, complete with warm, comfortable and trendy decor,” and the latter is “also undergoing a transformation with a similar look.”
The enhancements will be introduced on the Wonder’s four-night voyage from Vancouver to San Diego on September 30, 2019.
Minnie Mouse Makes Captain
In an effort to empower the next generation of women leadership in the maritime industry, Captain Minnie Mouse is now making appearances in a new uniform across the fleet. She sports white trousers or skirt and a red jacket complete with captain’s epaulets. Later in the year, she will additionally participate in a maiden Disney’s Oceaneer Lab nautical activity.
A line of merchandise is also on the way displaying the “You Can Call Me Captain” tagline. Products will encompass a Captain Minnie Mouse plush and a PANDORA Jewelry charm. In time, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique will include Captain Minnie Mouse makeovers too.
She will additionally show up in several of Disney Cruise Line homeports and ports of call to further inspire children. The local community visits will showcase a female Disney Cruise Line officer or crew member raising awareness about cruise careers for women as well.
What’s more, Disney Cruise Line will sponsor four LJM Maritime Academy scholarships in The Bahamas for female cadets seeking to become ship captains and other onboard leaders. Scholarships will include tuition to the three-year program: two years at the academy and one year servicing a Disney ship.
Captain Marvel Jets Aboard
Captain Marvel has already made her debut for 2019 during this year’s Marvel Day at Sea sailings, but the super heroine will return in 2020. From January through March, another nine theme cruises to the Caribbean and Bahamas will see her on the Disney Magic alongside Captain America, Spider-Man, Iron Man and more. The day will be jam packed with entertainment, activities and an epic evening deck party with everyone assembled.
In the same vein, Star Wars Day at Sea will also be reprised in 2020 with nine voyages aboard the Disney Fantasy. From January to March, galactic Caribbean theme cruises will highlight Darth Vader, Kylo Ren, Chewbacca, C-3PO and R2-D2, as well as its own set of live shows, merchandise and a “Summon the Force” fireworks deck party.
European Summer Itineraries 2020
Days at sea are just the start, though, as lots more itineraries are planned for 2020, not the least of which is the summer return of the Disney Magic in Greece after a five-year absence. Grecian sailings will highlight a combination of the following ports of call from Rome, Italy: Piraeus, Katakolon, Santorini, Mykonos and Crete. Other Mediterranean stops will extend to Messina, Italy; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Gdynia, Poland; Nordfjordeid, Norway; Plymouth, England and Zeebrugge, Belgium. Late summer will then highlight the Baltic, British Isles and Norwegian fjords.
Alaskan Summer Itineraries 2020
While the Magic is in Europe, the Disney Wonder will be back in Alaska on seven-night voyages from Vancouver, Canada. The ship will embark for Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point and Dawes Glacier.
Caribbean and Bahamian Summer Itineraries 2020
Besides the Disney Fantasy’s usual seven-night eastern and western Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral, the ship will mix it up with three-, four-, five- and nine-night cruises. Three to the Bahamas will even double up on Castaway Cay with two calls during each sailing. At the same time, the Disney Dream will highlight three- and four-, as well as five-night Bahamian voyages. It too will include the occasional two stops at the private island.
Adventures by Disney Summer Enhancements
Select summer 2020 cruises can be further enhanced with Adventures by Disney packages and pre-cruise experiences. Adventure Guides add even more service onboard and off when visiting Alaska, Europe and the Caribbean with specially curated excursions and so on. Unique onboard opportunities even encompass a talkback session with Walt Disney Theatre cast members and a behind-the-scenes costume and prop activity.
Lastly, two- to three-night pre-cruise experiences can add adventures in Rome, London, Barcelona and Copenhagen. Experiences extend to a private, after-hours visit of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, plus flamenco dancing, mosaic making and regional cuisine preparation.
Holiday Itineraries 2020
Holiday sailings also return on all four ships from New York, California, Texas and Florida. Halloween on the High Seas comes in September and October, and Very Merrytime Cruises are up in early November through December aboard the Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, Disney Magic and Disney Wonder.
The Disney Magic specifically will head from New York to Bermuda and Canada during Halloween on the High Seas. A trio of five-night sailings will feature two days in Bermuda, and one five-night voyage will visit Saint John, New Brunswick and Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Meanwhile, the Disney Wonder will celebrate Halloween on the High Seas in September from San Diego, California to Baja and the Mexican Riviera. Two-, three-, four- and five-night cruises head to Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, Mexico; and a singular seven-night voyage adds Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta.
Very Merrytime Cruises will be in full swing from late November through December on the Disney Wonder from Galveston, Texas to the Caribbean and Bahamas on four-, five-, six- and seven-night sailings. Showcased will be the likes of Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico and Grand Cayman; as well as Nassau, Bahamas; Key West, Florida and Disney’s private island of Castaway Cay.
Both fall and winter holiday celebrations will be available from Port Canaveral, Florida aboard the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. The Dream will set sail on three- and four-night Bahamian voyages to Nassau, Bahamas and Castaway Cay, and Fantasy will embark on three- to eight-night Caribbean and Bahamian itineraries featuring Castaway Cay and more.
Are you excited about what’s on the horizon from Disney Cruise Line? Share your thoughts in the comments section below…
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